Ben is available for hire

Ben Mishkin

Verified Expert in Engineering

Cloud Infrastructure Developer

Location

Austin, TX, United States

Toptal Member Since

March 10, 2017

Ben is a seasoned engineering leader with 20 years of experience in cloud infrastructure, DevOps, and security. He specializes in ML/AI and LLMs and holds certifications in AWS and GCP. He has led teams across various industries, including healthcare, social networks, eCommerce, and video games. With computer science, machine learning, and finance expertise, Ben has HIPAA, PCI, and SOC2 compliance experience. He excels in writing code and architecting buildouts and migrations.

Software Development Cloud Engineering Cloud Infrastructure Cloud Architecture AWS DevOps Infrastructure as Code (IaC)Cloud Security Git Agile Software Development Amazon Web Services (AWS)Ruby on Rails (RoR)Ruby DevOps GitHub Amazon S3 (AWS S3)VPN AWS Operations Resque

Portfolio

Inworld.AI

Amazon Web Services (AWS), Oracle Cloud, Azure, Terraform, Kubernetes, Helm...

Anthem.AI/Elevance Health

DevOps, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Continuous Delivery (CD)...

MFT

Amazon Web Services (AWS), HTML5, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ruby...

Experience

Cloud Infrastructure - 15 years DevOps - 12 years Amazon Web Services (AWS) - 12 years SecOps - 12 years Cloud FinOps - 12 years Terraform - 8 years Kubernetes - 5 years Google Cloud Platform (GCP) - 4 years

Availability

Full-time

Preferred Environment

Git, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Amazon Web Services (AWS), Terraform, Slack, Agile Software Development, Kubernetes, Helm, GitLab CI/CD

The most amazing...

...project I've delivered from the ground up is a HIPAA-compliant GCP cloud platform entirely in code (Terraform) for a Fortune 20 client.

Work Experience

Head of TechOps and SRE

2024 - 2024

Inworld.AI

Led technical implementation efforts while also providing leadership in a split of 70% technical work and 30% leadership responsibilities.
Migrated ML services from cloud provider to another cloud provider.
Improved and organized Terraform code and modules, integrating CI/CD with Terragrunt and GitHub Actions.
Refactored main code deployment from manual monolithic build to GitOps CI/CD.
Deployed and managed ArgoCD for microservice deployments.

Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Oracle Cloud, Azure, Terraform, Kubernetes, Helm, Argo CD, KServe, Jira, GitHub Actions, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), DevOps, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Cloud Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, SecOps, Cloud FinOps, Enterprise Architecture, VPC, CI/CD Pipelines, GitHub, Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), Containers, Networking, Monitoring, Virtualization, Infrastructure Architecture, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), Python, Continuous Integration (CI), Configuration Management, Azure DevOps, YAML, Google Cloud SQL, Memorystore, Google BigQuery, Google Compute Engine (GCE), Pub/Sub, Containerization, Security, System Administration, Log Management, Systems Monitoring, Azure Cloud Services, Startups, SQL, Google Cloud Functions, REST APIs, PagerDuty

Senior Director, ML Operations and Platform

2020 - 2024

Anthem.AI/Elevance Health

Led both technical implementation and leadership initiatives with a balanced split of 50% each.
Architected cloud infrastructure, security, tools, and DevOps for a commercializable ML and AI division.
Recruited and trained 20 infrastructure, DevOps, and security engineers to manage cloud infrastructure, CI/CD, and toolsets.
Scaled a CI/CD deployment platform leveraged by 125 software engineers.
Coordinated with business, technical, compliance, security, and legal stakeholders to deliver targeted platform requirements.
Led a 3-year cloud architecture and cloud infrastructure platform buildout for 10+ ML/AI and GenAI projects on AWS and GCP.

Technologies: DevOps, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Continuous Delivery (CD), Continuous Integration (CI), AWS DevOps, Terraform, Kubernetes, Docker, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), GitLab CI/CD, Agile Software Development, Linux, SAML, Software Development, Databases, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Auth0, gRPC, VPN, Encryption, Networks, HIPAA Compliance, Machine Learning, Cloud Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, SecOps, Cloud FinOps, Azure, Enterprise Architecture, VPC, AWS IAM, Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS), AWS Lambda, CI/CD Pipelines, API Gateways, AWS Key Management Service (KMS), Amazon EKS, Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), Containers, Networking, Monitoring, Virtualization, Infrastructure Architecture, Rancher, AWS Cloud Computing Services, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), IT Security, Serverless, Event-driven Architecture, DevSecOps, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), API Integration, Analytics, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), Python, Cloud Security, Configuration Management, YAML, Google Cloud SQL, Memorystore, Google BigQuery, Google Compute Engine (GCE), Pub/Sub, Containerization, Security, System Administration, Log Management, Systems Monitoring, Snyk, SQL, Google Cloud Functions, REST APIs, PagerDuty

Principal Consultant

2007 - 2022

MFT

Built an in-house custom accounting and ERP platform.
Developed a streaming video application and marketplace.
Improved and managed an employee perks delivery application.
Refactored a social networking application from PHP to Ruby on Rails.
Supported a nonprofit home equity insurance program.

Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), HTML5, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ruby, Agile Software Development, Test-driven Development (TDD), Linux, SAML, Software Development, Databases, Machine Learning, Encryption, Networks, DevOps, Cloud Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, SecOps, Cloud FinOps, Enterprise Architecture, VPC, AWS IAM, Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS), AWS Lambda, CI/CD Pipelines, Containers, Data Center Infrastructure, Networking, Monitoring, Virtualization, Infrastructure Architecture, AWS Cloud Computing Services, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), IT Security, Event-driven Architecture, DevSecOps, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Analytics, Continuous Integration (CI), Cloud Security, Configuration Management, YAML, Security, System Administration, Log Management, Systems Monitoring, Startups, SQL

Engineering Manager

2018 - 2020

BigCommerce

Managed 3rd-party applications and themes team and migrated themes billing to an integrated platform.
Hired and trained additional managers and five engineers.
Extended a billing platform to support a 3rd-party resale integration.
Architected a billing platform with SOA decomposition.

Technologies: gRPC, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ruby, Agile Software Development, Test-driven Development (TDD), Linux, Service-oriented Architecture (SOA), Software Development, Databases, Auth0, Encryption, PCI Compliance, Networks, DevOps, Terraform, Kubernetes, Cloud Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise Architecture, VPC, AWS IAM, CI/CD Pipelines, API Gateways, AWS Key Management Service (KMS), GitHub, Containers, Networking, Monitoring, Virtualization, Infrastructure Architecture, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Serverless, Event-driven Architecture, DevSecOps, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), API Integration, Analytics, Configuration Management, YAML, System Administration, Log Management, Systems Monitoring, Startups, SQL, REST APIs, PagerDuty

VP of Engineering

2017 - 2018

Dropcountr

Worked with the CEO to build a scalability strategy and revamp the client onboarding roadmap.
Converted a data ingestion ETL to queue-based Sidekiq architecture.
Rebuilt native mobile apps in React Native targeting iOS and Android platforms.
Recruited and hired lead front- and back-end developers.

Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), React Native, Sidekiq, Sinatra, Ruby, Agile Software Development, Test-driven Development (TDD), Linux, JavaScript, SAML, Service-oriented Architecture (SOA), Software Development, Databases, Chef, Encryption, Networks, iOS, Android, DevOps, Cloud Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, SecOps, Cloud FinOps, Enterprise Architecture, VPC, AWS IAM, Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS), AWS Lambda, CI/CD Pipelines, API Gateways, AWS Key Management Service (KMS), Amazon EKS, GitHub, Containers, Networking, Monitoring, Infrastructure Architecture, AWS Cloud Computing Services, IT Security, Serverless, Event-driven Architecture, DevSecOps, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), API Integration, Analytics, Cloud Security, Configuration Management, YAML, Security, System Administration, Log Management, Systems Monitoring, Startups, REST APIs

Leader, Technology Operations

2016 - 2017

Scout RFP

Managed the AWS infrastructure, DevOps, security, and compliance for 13-person US and Latvia teams.
Partnered with the VP of engineering to refactor agile work, CI, and planning tools.
Migrated the legacy architecture to AWS RDS, Elastic Beanstalk, ElastiCache, Elasticsearch, and CloudFront.
Envisioned, communicated, and executed strategic security and scalability plans.

Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Auth0, Sidekiq, Redis, Elasticsearch, PostgreSQL, Ruby, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Agile Software Development, Test-driven Development (TDD), Linux, SAML, Service-oriented Architecture (SOA), Software Development, Databases, Chef, Encryption, PCI Compliance, Networks, DevOps, Cloud Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, SecOps, Cloud FinOps, Enterprise Architecture, VPC, AWS IAM, Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS), AWS Lambda, CI/CD Pipelines, Amazon EKS, GitHub, Networking, Monitoring, Infrastructure Architecture, AWS Cloud Computing Services, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), IT Security, Event-driven Architecture, DevSecOps, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), API Integration, Analytics, Cloud Security, Configuration Management, YAML, Security, System Administration, Log Management, Systems Monitoring, Startups, SQL

Chief Technology Officer

2014 - 2016

Diagnotes

Extended the API to support client-driven events and external calls.
Integrated with clients' electronic medical records systems.
Deployed and managed the VPN connectivity to our client's systems.
Managed the development pipeline and overall product strategy.
Delivered HIPAA-compliant secure messaging, medical records, and on-call scheduling.
Recruited and hired developers, systems administrators, and a mobile team.
Extended an application to multiple new revenue opportunities (mobile apps).

Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), PostgreSQL, Android, iOS, Resque, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Agile Software Development, Test-driven Development (TDD), Linux, JavaScript, SAML, Service-oriented Architecture (SOA), Software Development, Databases, Chef, Encryption, PCI Compliance, Networks, HIPAA Compliance, DevOps, Cloud Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, SecOps, Cloud FinOps, Enterprise Architecture, VPC, AWS IAM, CI/CD Pipelines, GitHub, Networking, Monitoring, Infrastructure Architecture, AWS Cloud Computing Services, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), IT Security, DevSecOps, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), API Integration, System Administration, Log Management, Systems Monitoring, Startups, SQL

Chief Technology Officer

2011 - 2014

TheRegistrationSystem.com

Architected and built a live e-ticket sales application (Ruby on Rails 3) in four weeks.
Built a bidirectional API to support a multi-platform mobile application.
Upgraded and extended the architecture to support high peak volume event sales.
Recruited and managed the overseas development team.

Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Resque, Redis, MySQL, jQuery, Ruby, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Agile Software Development, Test-driven Development (TDD), Linux, JavaScript, Software Development, Databases, VPN, Encryption, Networks, DevOps, Cloud Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise Architecture, Networking, Monitoring, Infrastructure Architecture, AWS Cloud Computing Services, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), IT Security, CI/CD Pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), System Administration, Log Management, Systems Monitoring, Startups, SQL

Chief Technology Officer

2011 - 2014

WhatNext

Extended and maintained a healthcare-focused social networking application.
Optimized Sphinx searching, the Redis cache functionality, and a new feature pipeline.
Managed a remote team for incremental improvements.

Technologies: Redis, MySQL, jQuery, Sphinx Search Engine, Ruby, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Agile Software Development, Test-driven Development (TDD), Linux, JavaScript, Software Development, Databases, VPN, Encryption, Networks, HIPAA Compliance, DevOps, Cloud Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, SQL

Chief Technology Officer | Co-founder

2004 - 2009

Sagebit LLC

Designed the business plan and raised capital for a tech consultancy.
Hired and trained a team of six developers and four interns.
Managed migration of social networking site from PHP to Ruby on Rails.

Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), MySQL, PostgreSQL, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ruby, Agile Software Development, Test-driven Development (TDD), Linux, JavaScript, Software Development, Databases, VPN, Encryption, Networks, DevOps, Data Center Infrastructure

Experience

ASmallWorld.net

https://www.asmallworld.com/

Designed and executed the rebuild and migration of a PHP-based social networking web application to Ruby on Rails. Led a team of six developers in re-architecting the data model. Built a CI/CD platform for rapid deployment and agile development.

GCP Platform for ML/AI and HIPAA

Led team to build a greenfield, HIPAA-compliant GCP environment for B2C and B2E applications, primarily using Terraform and GitLab CI/CD. Managed relationships with InfoSec, compliance, and legal teams. This project was delivered within six months.

Migration of an On-premise Project to AWS

https://my-trs.com

I migrated a volunteer management system from a co-located datacenter to AWS. I also managed the network, data, and computing environments, built CI/CD pipelines, and added a test framework and monitoring infrastructure.

Education

2003 - 2005

Master of Science Degree in Computer Science

Brown University - Providence, RI, USA

1996 - 2000

Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science

Dartmouth College - Hanover, NH, USA

Certifications

DECEMBER 2023 - PRESENT

GCP Professional Machine Learning Engineer

Google Cloud

OCTOBER 2023 - PRESENT

GCP Certified Associate Cloud Engineer

Google Cloud

NOVEMBER 2017 - NOVEMBER 2020

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional

AWS Training and Certification

OCTOBER 2015 - NOVEMBER 2020

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate

AWS Training and Certification

Skills

Libraries/APIs

REST APIs, Sidekiq, jQuery, Resque

Tools

Git, Jira, AWS IAM, GitHub, Terraform, Helm, GitLab, Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS), AWS Key Management Service (KMS), Amazon EKS, Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), Google Compute Engine (GCE), Auth0, Chef, VPN, GitLab CI/CD, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)

Frameworks

Ruby on Rails (RoR), Sinatra, React Native, gRPC

Paradigms

Agile Software Development, HIPAA Compliance, Test-driven Development (TDD), DevOps, DevSecOps, Continuous Integration (CI), Service-oriented Architecture (SOA), Continuous Delivery (CD), Event-driven Architecture, Azure DevOps

Languages

Ruby, YAML, SQL, JavaScript, HTML5, SAML, Python

Platforms

Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kubernetes, AWS Cloud Computing Services, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Linux, Docker, Azure, AWS Lambda, PagerDuty, iOS, Android, Vertex AI, Rancher

Storage

Amazon S3 (AWS S3), MySQL, PostgreSQL, Elasticsearch, Sphinx Search Engine, Redis, Databases, Oracle Cloud, Google Cloud SQL, Azure Cloud Services

Other

Software Development, AWS DevOps, Cloud Architecture, Cloud Engineering, Cloud Infrastructure, SecOps, Cloud FinOps, Enterprise Architecture, CI/CD Pipelines, Infrastructure Architecture, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Cloud Security, Startups, Networks, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Argo CD, VPC, Containers, Networking, Monitoring, IT Security, Configuration Management, Security, System Administration, Log Management, Systems Monitoring, Encryption, PCI Compliance, Algorithms, KServe, GitHub Actions, API Gateways, Data Center Infrastructure, Virtualization, Serverless, API Integration, Analytics, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), Memorystore, Google BigQuery, Google Data Proc, Pub/Sub, Containerization, Snyk, Google Cloud Functions

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